Thales Announces CVF Power & Propulsion Agreement

(October 6, 2008) -- Thales UK is pleased to announce that it has today signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce, Converteam and L-3 for the manufacture of an integrated power and propulsion system for the UK's Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme.

Today's announcement, worth a total of pound235 million, is a vital milestone in the development and manufacture of the 65,000 tonne vessels - HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales - which are due to enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

As a founding member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), Thales UK has responsibility for leading the power and propulsion element of CVF and through this alliance approach, has been instrumental in bringing together these leading companies in their specific fields to present a collective arrangement with a single common objective.

As part of this agreement, Thales is responsible for procurement, including contracting directly with Wartsila for the supply of the vessel's main and emergency diesel driven generators. The company is also responsible for systems design, overall systems integration, ship integration (with shipyards), programme management and safety analysis.

Rolls-Royce will supply the gas turbines, shaftlines/propellers, steering gear/rudders, stabilisers and low voltage system. Converteam will provide the high voltage system and propulsion converters/motors and L-3 will supply the integrated platform management system.

Ed Lowe, Vice President of Thales UK's naval business says: "Today's announcement is an important step forward in the CVF programme and is a successful example of how the programme is delivering both commercial and technical innovation.

"The power & propulsion Sub-Alliance was developed to provide the most effective mechanism for delivery of an integrated system and given Thales's position in the main alliance, it has allowed us to engage all stakeholders in delivering the power and propulsion system.

"We now look forward to developing our working relationship with our Sub Alliance partners on this hugely important programme and delivering to our ACA partners the specified power and propulsion system within budget and on schedule."

Source : Thales UK